Santa Croce neighborhood, on the south east fringe of the historical center, was built during the Middle Ages outside the second set of medieval city walls.

The most important peace of the quarter is the basilica of Santa Croce; the vast square can accommodate any overflow and also served as a fairground and,  since the middle of the 16th century, as a playing field for no-holds-barred soccer games. A center of leatherworking since the Middle Ages, the neighborhood is still packed with leatherworkers and leather shops.

The piazza grew with the Franciscans, who used the large square for public preaching. During the Renaissance it was used for giostre(jousts), including one sponsored by Lorenzo de' Medici. "Bonfires of the vanities" occurred here.
Lined with many palazzi dating from the 15th century, it remains one of Florence's loveliest squares.

The Basilica di Santa Croce  also named the Basilica of the Holy Cross is the principal Franciscan church of Florence and it is best known for its Florentine artwork and its tombs of illustrious dead, including Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli.
Don't miss the Cibrèo Restaurant Trattoria, the food is traditionally Tuscan.